NTLDR is missing: Fix for Windows XP

 

Fix #1: Unplug recent USB disks etc.

A very easy fix for “NTLDR is missing” is to make sure you didn’t recently plugged-in any USB flash drive or hardware that could lead to this error.
If you did, try to unplug it and restart your PC to see if the NTLDR error disappears.

Fix #2: Remove non-bootable disks

Another easy fix is to make sure you don’t have any non-bootable media added recently in your computer, such as CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives etc.
This can also include any memory card you may have entered in the card reader. The NTLDR error may appear if your computer tries to boot from one of these non-bootable media devices.
If this solutions works you can prevent it by changing the boot order from BIOS to make sure your computer boots from the hard drive first, as primary source, and not from any other devices.
If the error still appears after restart, try the next solution or download our repair Windows disk Easy Recovery Essentials for a guaranteed fix.

Fix #3: Check cable ends of your primary hard disk

A loose IDE cable can lead to this error to occur. Make sure both ends of your hard disk cable are not faulty or loose.
Try to connect and reconnect back the cable and restart your PC.
If none of the next solutions are working for you, try to check if the IDE cable is faulty and replace it with a new one. You can check that by replacing it on another computer’s hard drive and restart that PC to see if it boots correctly.

 

Fix #4: Replace NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files

Windows XP users can replace the required files for NTLDR to load correctly by using your Windows Installation Disc. The files are named NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM.
Here are the steps to replace these files:

1. Inserting your Windows XP install CD
2. Restart your computer and boot from the CD
3. Press any key to boot from the CD
4. Press R when you reach the Windows Options menu to access Repair Console
5. After this step you’ll need to log into Windows by pressing 1 using your Administrator password
6. Use the following commands to copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files from the Windows installation disk to your hard disk:

   copy D:\i386\ntldr C:\
   copy D:\i386\ntdetect.com C:\

   Where D:\ is your install CD’s drive letter and C:\ is your Windows XP partition’s drive letter
7. Once these files are copied, remove the Windows installation disc from the disc drive
8. Restart your PC

Fix #5: Rebuild boot.ini file

The next steps are to rebuild the boot.ini file:

1. Inserting your Windows XP install CD
2. Restart your computer and boot from the CD
3. Press any key to boot from the CD
4. Press R when you reach the Windows Options menu to access Repair Console
5. Enter your Administrator password
6. Enter the following command when Command Prompt appears:

   bootcfg /rebuild

7. Remove the install CD
8. Restart your computer